How do you make Live Rock

cartouche · 05/05/2006, 05:39 AM

I read somewhere here that if you use 'dead rock' as a base and add LR over & around it, eventually the 'dead rock' will become LR.

In my LFS there are many different types of base 'dead' rock, from what they call 'grot rock' which is very dark to 'marine rock' which is very light (a sandy colour). My LFS call it 'marine rock' so the terminology may be differnt else where but this rock feels quite crumbly but its a variant of limestone which is calcium based...

I'm clutching at straws here but is this the type of rock that should be used to eventually turn into LR or am I missing something here??

TAI

fsn77 · 05/05/2006, 06:43 AM

A couple commonly used dry base rock types are what most places call reef bones (white, chalky chunks of dead coral) and lace rock (dark gray / brown / black, lots of holes and pores). I searched grot rock online and if the pictures I've seen are the same as what you are talking about -- a good number of holes and pores -- it should be fine. The marine rock should also be fine, as long as you're satisfied it (limestone is typically porous). The marine rock, if it's a type of limestone, can help buffer the pH in your tank, since it's made of calcium carbonate.
Does the LFS recommend you use one over the other? Do you know anyone else that has bought either rock from there for their reef tank? If you can find someone else that has one of those types of rock in their tank already, you might be able to get a better idea and opinion from them as to how well it's working out.

jjmcat · 05/05/2006, 06:56 AM

Google diy liverock.It will cost you about 20 cents a pound to make and very easy.You can use crushed oyster shells,south down sand,etc.Or you can do what fsn said and go drop alot of cash on base rock.You are still going to need to buy a few pounds of live rock to seed the homemade rock or you can purchase reef grunge from garf.

adnup · 05/05/2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjmcat
Google diy liverock.It will cost you about 20 cents a pound to make and very easy.You can use crushed oyster shells,south down sand,etc.Or you can do what fsn said and go drop alot of cash on base rock.You are still going to need to buy a few pounds of live rock to seed the homemade rock or you can purchase reef grunge from garf.

Not to hijack this thread - but -

dont oyster shells produce high levels of phosphates?

adnup · 05/08/2006, 11:31 PM

anyone?

jjmcat · 05/09/2006, 12:29 AM

I havent had a problem yet.Ive got a 19 pound piece in my reef.

tkeracer619 · 05/09/2006, 12:35 AM

The absolute best place for rock is here on RC. Look for someone locally taking a tank down. you can often find rock as low as $1-3 a lb that has lots of growth on it. Ive purchased about 200lbs so far for a total of $250.

As for your question base rock will turn to live rock as the bacteria and critters migrate into it. Going half and half is a good way to save money if you buy it from a store.

05/05/2006, 05:39 AM	#1
cartouche Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: camberley uk Posts: 209	How do you make Live Rock I read somewhere here that if you use 'dead rock' as a base and add LR over & around it, eventually the 'dead rock' will become LR. In my LFS there are many different types of base 'dead' rock, from what they call 'grot rock' which is very dark to 'marine rock' which is very light (a sandy colour). My LFS call it 'marine rock' so the terminology may be differnt else where but this rock feels quite crumbly but its a variant of limestone which is calcium based... I'm clutching at straws here but is this the type of rock that should be used to eventually turn into LR or am I missing something here?? TAI

05/05/2006, 06:56 AM	#3
jjmcat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 4,249	Google diy liverock.It will cost you about 20 cents a pound to make and very easy.You can use crushed oyster shells,south down sand,etc.Or you can do what fsn said and go drop alot of cash on base rock.You are still going to need to buy a few pounds of live rock to seed the homemade rock or you can purchase reef grunge from garf. __________________ Oklahoma Marine and Aquarium Society Support your LFS and your local club. Jarrod Lee Current Tank Info: 110 reef with a 55 gallon sump,3 metal halides

05/08/2006, 11:31 PM	#5
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	anyone? __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

05/09/2006, 12:29 AM	#6
jjmcat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 4,249	I havent had a problem yet.Ive got a 19 pound piece in my reef. __________________ Oklahoma Marine and Aquarium Society Support your LFS and your local club. Jarrod Lee Current Tank Info: 110 reef with a 55 gallon sump,3 metal halides

05/09/2006, 12:35 AM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	The absolute best place for rock is here on RC. Look for someone locally taking a tank down. you can often find rock as low as $1-3 a lb that has lots of growth on it. Ive purchased about 200lbs so far for a total of $250. As for your question base rock will turn to live rock as the bacteria and critters migrate into it. Going half and half is a good way to save money if you buy it from a store. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/05/2006, 06:43 AM	#2
fsn77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SC Posts: 777	A couple commonly used dry base rock types are what most places call reef bones (white, chalky chunks of dead coral) and lace rock (dark gray / brown / black, lots of holes and pores). I searched grot rock online and if the pictures I've seen are the same as what you are talking about -- a good number of holes and pores -- it should be fine. The marine rock should also be fine, as long as you're satisfied it (limestone is typically porous). The marine rock, if it's a type of limestone, can help buffer the pH in your tank, since it's made of calcium carbonate. Does the LFS recommend you use one over the other? Do you know anyone else that has bought either rock from there for their reef tank? If you can find someone else that has one of those types of rock in their tank already, you might be able to get a better idea and opinion from them as to how well it's working out.